When to start using a belt for squating?

[Troy]

Hello Mr Rippetoe,

In your books you've mentioned (eventually) using a belt for squating is a good idea when dealing with heavy weight. Where do you think the rough mile stone is when considering using a belt for the heavy work sets?

I personally feel I can go certainly over a 100kg squat before considering a belt, correct?

FYI: I'm of average bulid, 5"11, 33yo male, training slowly with SS novice routine for about 12months. I managed a 20rep squat of 91.5 kg, then later rebooted it with 3 sets of 5reps. (I mostly started w/ 20rep 1set squat cause my gym doesn't have saftey pins for the rack, so didnt want to get near failure just-in case. ) Funnly enough, I am finding it hard to get past 91.5kg again even with only the low reps, but that's another question.


(Cheers on all the Books, I now own 'Strong Enough' along with SS and PP, all are great! If you'd like proof-of-purchase for a reply I can provider it )

[halbritt]

Hello Mr Rippetoe,

In your books you've mentioned (eventually) using a belt for squating is a good idea when dealing with heavy weight. Where do you think the rough mile stone is when considering using a belt for the heavy work sets?

I personally feel I can go certainly over a 100kg squat before considering a belt, correct?

FYI: I'm of average bulid, 5"11, 33yo male, training slowly with SS novice routine for about 12months. I managed a 20rep squat of 91.5 kg, then later rebooted it with 3 sets of 5reps. (I mostly started w/ 20rep 1set squat cause my gym doesn't have saftey pins for the rack, so didnt want to get near failure just-in case. ) Funnly enough, I am finding it hard to get past 91.5kg again even with only the low reps, but that's another question.


(Cheers on all the Books, I now own 'Strong Enough' along with SS and PP, all are great! If you'd like proof-of-purchase for a reply I can provider it )

Go read the blog posts on 70sbig.com about when and how to use a belt.

[thersites]

No hard and fast rule, but somewhere around when you are squatting 1x body weight.

[Carnivroar]

more like 1.5

[Carlos Daniel]

more like 1.5

I was about to say precisely this.

[Greg C]

Situation dependent. Saying that all 200# people should wait to wear a belt for squats until they have 300# on the bar is SB. You know this. Everyone is different.

Perhaps a better statement is when it starts to get qualitatively "heavy." I would define this as around when the last rep or two in a set of five start to slow down significantly or when you feel like you need/want some additional support in the mid-section to push against. Then it's appropriate to wear a belt.

Also if you have a history of lower back injuries, then just wear it starting in heavier warm-ups.

At some point you need to use your best judgement like and adult.

[denbrkln]

Never.

[Cartman]

more like 1.5

This is when I started.

Situation dependent. Saying that all 200# people should wait to wear a belt for squats until they have 300# on the bar is SB. You know this. Everyone is different.
...
At some point you need to use your best judgement like and adult.

+1